Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5366, Moses Dresser, Privateer (Mass.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Privateer (Mass.) Dresser, Moses
S. 5366
carded
CONTENTS

Massachusetts.
Moses Dresser, mar. ne on board the private armed ship (Maf) General Stark, in the Rev. war
Ratio of disability, three fourths . completing testimony Oct 1817
Date of Discharge, 20 January, 1817
Inscribed on the roll of Massachusetts , at six dollars per month, to commence on the
1st December 1817 20 January, 1817
Certificate of pension issued the 1st Dec 1820 and sent to Isaac Ellwell , Gloucester, Massachusetts
Arrears to 4th Sept: 1820. $ 52.28
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 March 36.
8 mo. 18 1/2 1821. $ 88.28
4/30. } Invalid Pension.
acts, 10 th April, 1806, 25. April, 1812, and 3 d March, 1819.
Quer

To the Honorable Secretary of War, your petitioner, a Citizen of Gloucester, Mass. respectfully shows, that he served in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain, as Capt of the forestop, on board the Privateer Gen. Stark, of this port, owned principally by David Pearce Esq. and commanded by Capt William Coes, both citizens of the aforesaid Gloucester; and that on the 20 th of August A.D. 1799 the said Gen. Stark engaged, and captured a British Packet, in which engagement your petitioner had the misfortune to receive a severe wound in his left arm, near the shoulder, which wound has ever since very much disabled him in his labor, and obliged him to relinquish his employment in the Merchant Service, by which he before obtained his living. And your petitioner not having ascertained, till lately, that the Law of the United States of the 10 th of April A.D. 1806 had been enacted, which provides that those who were wounded in any proper service while in the line of their duty against the common enemy in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain, should upon substantiating their claims, be placed on the Pension List of the United States, and which Law was declared should be continued in force, by a subsequent Law of the United States of

the United States enacted the 25 of April A.D. 1802. And your petitioner, having ascertained that other citizens, under similar circumstances with himself, who were wounded in the Private service, during the Revolutionary war with Great Britain, have obtained pensions, of the United States: also those, who were wounded in the Private service, during the late war with Great Britain, have obtained Pensions; he has therefore been induced to lay his claim before you, as the proper authority, supported by such documents and testimony, as the aforementioned Law requires. And he feels assured from the rank which you hold in the United States, whose Liberty and Independence your petitioner tried his life to purchase, that you will make such a statement of his case, to the Congress of the United States, as will induce that honorable body to grant him such a pension, as they shall consider him justly entitled to, from the rank which he held and the degree of disability under which he labours.
Clementon Mass. Jan. 20 th A.D. 1817
Moses Dresser

Surrey Rev. J.
INVALID.
Rev.
File No. 5366
Moses Dreher
Mainer
Per Mar
Act: 5 March 1819 &c
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Arrear to 11 th September, 1820. 43 16 / 31 months @ $6. - $261.09 Semi annual allowance to 11 Mar. 1821. $ 36. - $297.09
Certificate of pension issued 27 th January, 1821 and delivered to Hon: Nathl. Silsbee, No: Rep 11 First certificate returned to the Dept and destroyed. (the con 1 in which was stated 11 Dec r 1829)

Copy
Explanatory of my meaning, expressed in the certificate, I gave on the 20 th of January 1819, in the case of Moses Dresser, respecting the degree of disability, under which he labours, in consequence of his Revolutionary wound, I hereby certify, that he is three fourths disabled from the ordinary ability of performing manual labour.
December 14, 1819
signed
Elm Dale Surgeon

Certificate & Affidavit of Moses Dresser in his own case, being Capt of the fore top, on board the Gen Stark
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transcribed by John Williams, Secretary of the State of Vermont. 1847.

I the subscriber hereby certify, that living in this place, which is remote, and sequestered from the principal towns of this State, consequently not enjoying the ordinary means of information, I was, till recently, ignorant entirely of the Law of the United States enacted the 10 th of April A.D. 1816, which provides that those Invalids, who were wounded, while in the line of their duty, in any proper service against the common enemy, during the Revolutionary War, with Great Britain, shall upon substantiating their claim, be placed on the Pension list of the United States, and which was declared should remain in force, by a subsequent Law of the United States, enacted the 25 th of April A.D. 1812, till A.D. 1818: And that not having a knowledge of the above Laws is the reason why I did not make application for a Pension before. and I further certify, that I am not on the Pension list of any State. Gloucester Jan 20 th A.D. 1817. Moses Dresser
Essex ss Gloucester January 20 th - 1817 then the above named Moses Dresser personally appeared and was solemnly sworn to the truth of the above Certificate by him Subscribed before me
Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace & Commissioner
I Isaac Elwell of Gloucester Mass in virtue of a Commission dated 13 th January 1817 from the Hon ble John Davis judge of Mass District authorising me to take the evidence on oath of such persons as may be brought before me by Moses Dresser of the aforesaid Gloucester for substantiating his Claim to a pension from the United States do hereby certify that the said Moses Dresser is a credible witness and sustains a reputable Character.
Gloucester M c January 20 th - 1817
Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace & Commissioner

417 112.36 3.09 37 79 12 4 16 11 12 78 43 6 258 3.09 261.09
From Isaac Ellwell, Esq. (commissioned to take evidence in the case of Moses Dresser, an appli- cant for pension,) dated Gloucester, Mass. 20 th Jan y 1817.
Mr. Ellwell written to Mr. Sumner 1817. in answer acknowledging the receipt
Testimony closed 20 th Jan y 1817.
Congress

To the Honourable Secretary of War
Gloucester January 20 1817
Sir
In virtue of a Commission dated in Boston the 13 th January A D 1817 from the Hon ble John Davis judge of Massachusetts District authorising me to take the evidence on oath of such persons as might be brought before me by Moses Dresser an Invalid who was wounded in the Revolutionary war for substantiating his claim to a pension from the United States pursuant to an act of the Congress of the United States passed the 10 th of April A D 1806 entitled an act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war I have therefore proceeded in the premises in conformity to my instructions from the said John Davis and have taken the evidence on oath in case of the said Moses Dresser which I herewith transmits to you accompanied with the Affidavits Certificates and proceedings had thereupon. As Corroborat ing testimony I have thought proper to send the Certificate and Affidavit of the Hon ble Josiah Smith of Newburyport which was given before a Magistrate in that place proving that he was Surgeon of The General Starkes and attended the said Moses Dresser in his wounds I also inclose his petition and I hereby certify that the testimony in case of the said Moses Dresser was closed before me this twentieth day of January A D . 1817
I am Sir very respectfully your Obedient Servant
Isaac Elwell { Commissioner and Justice of the Peace

Gloucester
Moses Sleeper
Inverness
Recd. 2.22 PM
Rev. John C. Calhoun
Mr. S. Sleeper
Secretary of War Washington City D.C.

Gloucester Mass January 17, 1821
Hon John C. Calhoun
Sir:
On the 20 th of January A.D. 1814 John Dow and myself, both of this place made application to your department for pensions, accompanied with evidence given principally by the same persons, in conformity with the law of the 10 of April A.D. 1806, respecting Revolutionary Invalids. Since which the said John Dow has received his Pension Certificate, commencing the 20 th of January A.D. 1814. On the contrary I have but recently received my pension Certificate, which commences the 14 day of December A.D. 1814. As the examination was instituted and the testimony closed, in both cases, at the same time - the Surgeon, who examined us, having since explained his meaning respecting the degree of invalidity disability - I humbly request the Hon. Secretary, to have my pension commence on the 28 th of January A.D. 1814. I have forwarded my pension Certificate to the Hon. Nathl. Silsbee. I herewith inclose a certificate of Isaac Chwell Coggin, who was the Commissioner before whom the evidence in my case and Mr. Dow's was taken. Also a copy of the explanation, made by the Surgeon, respecting the degree of my disability. - I am with great respect your Obedient Servt Moses Dyer

Gloucester Mass Decem 4. 1819.
Hon. John C. Calhoun, Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the papers, containing the evidence, taken in the case of Moses Dueser, a Revolutionary Invalid, together with two other papers consisting of blank forms and directions. Under the authority of one of three commissions which I herewith inclose from the Hon. John Davis Judge of Massachusetts District, on the 20 th of January A.D. 1814, I closed the testimony in the cases of three Revolutionary Invalids of whom have received their Pension Certificates - the other person, who did not obtain one, is the aforesaid Moses Dueser who was wounded on board the same ship, and in the same battle, with one of the persons, to whom you have transmitted a Pension Certificate.
I observe you have you have stated on the back of one of the inclosed papers, numbered in your Department 82, that agreeably to the Law of the 18 th of April 1814, the evidence in this case, will have to be taken, before a Judge of County Court &c. On referring to that Law, I notice, that it provides, that the evidence, may hereafter be taken before any Judge of any of the courts of the State or Territory, which is a mitigation of the requirements of the Law of the 10 th of April 1806, but it does not supersede the clause, which provides, that the evidence may be taken before some person specially authorized by commission.
The Applicant, Moses Dueser, having produced the necessary evidence in support of his claim, I closed the testimony on the 20 th of January 1814,

agreeably to the requirements of the several clauses of the 2 nd section of the last mentioned act; - the papers containing the evidence, I have taken the liberty to number in the following manner
Paper marked N o 1 agreeably to the requirement of the first clause contains my commission.
Paper marked N o 2 agreeably to the requirement of the second clause contains the evidence of John Hardy and John Low, together with the certificate of the Honorable Josiah Smith of Newburyport, who was the Surgeon of the Genl. Starks, and attended the said Moses Dyer, at the time he was wounded; and though his affidavit was not taken before me, I have thought proper to annex his certificate, to those of Hardy and Low, as highly respectable corroborative testimony.
Paper marked N o 3 agreeably to the requirement of the third clause contains the evidence of Eben d Dole Physician
Paper marked N o 4 agreeably to the requirement of the fourth clause contains the evidence of David Pearce Esquire, owner of the Genl. Starks
Paper marked N o 5 agreeably to the requirement of the fifth clause contains the evidence of the Applicant himself.
Respecting the degree of disability, under which the said applicant labours, I have annexed the additional certificate of Doct Eben d Dole, certifying the ratio of said disability. Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace
I am very respectfully your Obedt Servt & Commissioner

This may certify that Moses Dresser of Glenester, Mass. enlisted and served as Capt. of the foretop on board the Private armed Ship of this port, called the Gen Starks of 16 guns of which ship I was the principal owner, and that after a successful cruise in A.D. 1779 he returned in the said Gen Starks with a severe wound in his left arm near the shoulder, consequently he was regularly discharged from said ship: And the said Moses Dresser has ever since the aforesaid cruise A.D. 1779 resided in the aforesaid Glenester and, having in consequence of his wound been obliged to relinquish his employment in the Merchant service, has pursued the fishing business, during part of the time, in the warm months of the year, in a small boat near the shores of this place, by which employment, with great inconvenience, arising from said wound, he has partly obtained a precarious subsistence. And I further hereby certify that the said Moses Dresser drew his shares, arising from the prizes which the said Gen Starks captured, according to the rank which he held on board the said ship: and his officers and crew supported a high character for bravery and discipline in a number of successful cruises, in which they made several fortunate captures against the common enemy in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain
David Pearce

Essex, ss Gloucester January 20 th 1817 then the within named David Pearce Personally appeared and was Solemnly sworn to the within Certificate by him subscribed before me
Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace & Commissioner
I Isaac Elwell of Gloucester Mass in virtue of a Commission dated 13 th January 1817 from the Hon ble John Davis judge of Mass District authorising me to take the evidence on oath of such Persons as may be brought before me by Moses Dresser of the aforesaid Gloucester for substantiating his Claim to a pension from the United States do hereby certify that the said David Pearce is a credible witness and sustains a reputable Character
Gloucester Ms January 20 th 1817
Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace & Commissioner
11/2

I hereby certify, that in virtue of two commissions, bearing date the 13 th of January A.D. 1817, from the Hon John Davis, Judge of the District Court of Mass, I instituted an examination into the cases of John Dow and Moses Dufier, Revolutionary Invalids, both of Gloucester Mass; and they adduced very ample and highly respectable testimony, proving that they, the said John Dow and Moses Dufier, were both wounded in one and the same action, on board the same ship. And I further certify, that I closed the testimony in both the said cases, on the 20 th of January A.D. 1817; and that no additional evidence has been taken before me, in these cases, but an explanation by the surgeon, who examined them, of the degree of disability, under which the said Moses Dufier labours.
Gloucester January 17. A.D. 1821
Isaac Elwell Commissioner

Received of John J. [?] for [?] the sum of 1.17
To the Hon. Secretary of War Washington City

Moses Dresser
Capt. of the Foretop on board the private armed ship General Stark in the Rev. War.
Transmitted by Isaac Elwell, Esq., Commr. of Ins. of the Rev. War, Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Rec. at War Dept. 11. June 1874 & transmitted to Congress & then Ref. to the Committee of Pensions & Revolutionary Claims on the 12. of March, 1878.
Referred back to the Secretary of War by the Law of the 3. of March, 1879.
In accordance to the Law of the 18. April, 1814 the evidence in this case will have to be taken before a Judge of County Court & be made in conformity with the enclosed regulations under the Law of the 10. April 1806 &c.
These papers will be returned with further evidence to War Dept. Pension Office, Nov. 23 1879
3/4 dis $6. Testimony closed 14 December, 1819 Law 10 April 1806 25 Sept 1812 & 3. of March 1879.

United States Massachusetts District ss.
To Isaac Elwell, of Gloucester, in said District, Esquire.
Pursuant to an Act of the Congress of the United States, passed April 10 th 1806. entitled "An Act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War." — You are hereby appointed and authorised to take the evidence on oath of such persons as may be brought before you by Moses Dresser, for substantiating his claim to a Pension from the United States under the Act aforesaid. And in your pro- ceedings in the premises you are to be regular and governed by the directions of the Act aforesaid.
Witness my hand and Seal at Boston in said District January 13 th 1817.
M c Quarrie Dist d Judge Mass. Dist.

The subscriber, having examined Moses Dresser, a citizen of this place, in consequence of a wound, which he received in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain, do hereby certify, that the external muscles and integuments, near the shoulder of his left arm, have formed an adhesion, occasioned by said wound, to the bone, denominated the humerus; that a deep cicatrix, about four inches long has formed toward the lower side of the arm, and a number of small ones, on the upperside of the arm, and round the shoulder, which are the effects of an extensive and dangerous ulceration of the bone and muscles of said arm - a number of exfoliations of the bone having passed through the integuments, which has, ever since, occasioned such emaciation, debility and lameness of the whole arm, as to disable him from performing the little labour, to which his necessities subject him, without great pain.
Gloucester Jan 20. 1817
Ebenezer D. Dale Physician
Essex ss Gloucester January 20 th 1817 then the above named Eben r D. Dale personally appeared and was solemnly sworn to the truth of the above Certificate, by him Subscribed before me
Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace.
I Isaac Elwell of Gloucester Mass in virtue of a Commission dated 13 th January 1817 from the Hon ble John Davis judge of Mass District authorising me to take the evidence on oath of such persons as may be brought before me by Moses Dresser of the aforesaid Gloucester for substantiating his Claim to a pension from the United States do hereby certify that the said Eben r D. Dale Physician is a credible witness and sustains a respectable Character and is reputable in his profession Gloucester Ms January 20 th 1817
Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace & Commissioner
Explanatory of the meaning, expressed in my certificate given on the 20 th of January 1817, in the case of Moses Dresser, respecting the degree of disability, under which he labours, in consequence of his Revolutionary wound, I hereby certify, that he is three fourths disabled from the ordinary ability of performing manual labour.
Ebenezer D. Dale Physician
Essex ss Gloucester Ms. December 14 th 1817 then the above named Eben r D. Dale Physician personally appeared and was solemnly sworn to the truth of the Above Certificate, by him Subscribed before me.
Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace & Commissioner

Certificate & Affidavit of Eben Dole, Physician, in case of the examina- tion of Moses Dresser Capt of the sloop on board the Gen. Stark
transmitted by him John Millington U.S. Marshal Boston 1817.
3/4 disabled
13
Time of closing the testimony 14 Dec r 1819

I hereby certify that I, being Surgeon of the Privateer Ship General Stark, commanded by William Coos on the twelfth day of August 1779; Moses Deuer of Gloucester in Massachusetts received a severe wound in his left arm near the shoulder joint by a grape shot from a British Ship of force with which the said General was then engaged; said Deuer being one of his crew. — That about eighteen days after the engagement the Shot was extracted. — That the Shot had fractured & shattered the bone of the arm called the humerus so that after a long & tedious ulceration, many fistu- lous from the bone made their way through the integuments. — An amputation was at one time de- vised. — That such has been the disability arising from this misfortune that he has found it very difficult to obtain a living by all his unrelieved exertions. —
Josiah Smith
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Edson A. Dyer at New Bedford
(December 16 th 1816. Then Honorable Josiah Smith above named personally came & made Oath to the truth of the above written statement by him attested as.
W. W. D. Attorney for Plaintiff
This may certify that I the subscriber, was one of the crew of the Privateer Gen Stark of the port of Gloucester Mass. owned principally by David Prance Esq. and commanded by Capt. William Coos; and that on the 20 th of August A.D. 1779 the said Gen Stark engaged and captured a British Packet, in which engagement Moses Deuer Capt. of the forfeit was severely wounded by a grape shot, in the left arm, near the shoulder, which wound was consequently received, while he was contending with the common enemy, in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain, and which has ever since, so disenabled the said Moses Deuer, as to be a great impediment to him, in

the wound, which wound was consequently received, while he was contending with the common enemy in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain, and which has ever since, so disabled the said Moses Dresser, as to be a great impediment, to him, in procuring his living by manual labour. Feb 18th 1817
Essex ss Gloucester January 20 th 1817 then the above named John Hardy Personaly appeared and was Solemnly sworn to the truth of the above Certificate before me
Isaac Elwell Justice of the Peace
I Isaac Elwell of Gloucester Mass in virtue of a Commission dated 13 th January 1817 from the Hon ble John Davis Judge of Mass District authorising me to take the evidence on oath of such persons as may be brought before me by Moses Dresser of the aforesaid Gloucester for substantiating his claim to a pension from the United States do hereby Certify that the said John Hardy is a Credible Witness and sustains a reputable Character.
Gloucester Ms January 20 th - 1817
Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace }
This may certify that I the subscriber, was one of the crew of the Privateer Gen. Stark of the port of Gloucester Mass. owned principally by David Pease Esq and commanded by Capt William Coos; and that on the 20 th of August A.D. 1799 the said Gen Stark engaged and captured a British Packet, in which engagement the said Moses Dresser, of the aforesaid Gloucester, and Capt. of the foretop received a severe wound, in his left arm near the shoulder joint, by a grape shot from the enemy's ship, which proved extremely dangerous to him, arising in a number of months, and has been a great impediment to the said Moses Dresser in procuring his living by manual labour ever since. John Low
Essex ss Gloucester January 1817 then the above named John Low Personaly appeared and was Solemnly sworn to the truth of the above Certificate by him subscribed before me
Isaac Elwell Justice of the Peace

I. Isaac Elwell of Gloucester Mass in virtue of a Commission dated 15 th January 1817 from the Hon ble John Davis judge of Mass District. — authorising me to take the evidence on oath of such Persons as may be brought before me by Moses Dresser of the aforesaid Gloucester. for substantiating his Claims to a pension from the United States do hereby certify that the said Within Josiah Smith Surgeon is a Credible Witness and sustains a reputable Character
Gloucester M c January 26 th 1817
Isaac Elwell { Justice of the Peace

United States of America vs. John Davis, John Davis, one John Davis, name of the fourth person Gen. Parker, also col- lect and affidavit of
John Low
Committee of persons: John Will. John Davis, for John Davis, John Davis, John Davis.
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I Isaac Elwell of Gloucester Mass in virtue of a Commission dated 13 th January 1817 from the Hon ble John Davis judge of Mass District authorising me to take the evidence on oath of such persons as may be brought before me by John Low of the aforesaid Gloucester for substantiating his claim to a pension from the United States do hereby certify that the said John Low is a Creditable witness and sustains a reputable Character
Gloucester Ms January 1817
Isaac Elwell { Justice of The Peace

Certificates & affidavits of Josiah Smith Surgeon, and John Horacy Seaman in case of Moses Dresser Capt of the forest on board the Gen. Stark. also cer- tificate and affidavit of John Low
transmitted by her: John Williams, Legatee Under for Terence, Dr. February 1857.
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